Website of the President of Russia: Commissions and Councils

Meeting of the Expert Commission on Teaching Russian Language and Literature

2026-09-08T16:45:48+04:00

Adviser to the President Yelena Yampolskaya chaired a regular meeting, held via videoconference, of the Expert Commission on Teaching the Russian Language and Literature devoted to the final stages of work on high school textbooks.

In her opening remarks, Presidential Adviser and Chair of the Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian Language and Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation Yelena Yampolskaya announced that state textbooks on Russian language and literature for Grades 10 and 11 have been developed and undergone the required review.

The academic supervisors of the author teams who worked on the textbooks spoke at the meeting. It was noted that the textbooks had been developed in accordance with Russian teaching traditions, taking into account the interrelationship between education, enlightenment, and upbringing. Particular attention was paid to aspects that contribute to the development of schoolchildren’s personalities, broaden their cultural horizons, foster patriotic feelings, and cultivate an appreciation of the Russian language and Russian literature. It was also noted that electronic versions of the textbooks, as well as a unified digital resource for teaching Russian language and literature, are being developed to support teachers, parents, and students.

The phased introduction of state textbooks on Russian language and literature for grades 10 and 11 is scheduled to begin on September 1, 2027.

The expert commission comprising 89 language teachers (one representing each region of the country) is operating under the Presidential Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian Language and Languages of the Peoples of the Russian Federation.

Greetings to the winners of the 2026 World Kayak and Canoe Championships in Poznan, Poland, in the canoe double 500 metres event

2026-09-01T14:08:35+04:00

Vladimir Putin congratulated Zakhar Petrov and Ivan Shtyl on their victory at the 2026 World Kayak and Canoe Championships in Poznan, Poland, in the canoe double 500 metres event.

The message reads, in part:

“You have represented our country with distinction at this prestigious international championship and have proved yourselves to be stronger and more resolute than your formidable rivals. This outstanding success has once again resoundingly reaffirmed the high standing of the national school of kayaking and canoeing, and serves as a well-deserved reward for your tireless training, exemplary preparation, steadfast determination and strength of character.”

Greetings to winners of the team events at the 2026 World Modern Pentathlon Championships in Guiyang, China

2026-09-01T13:53:01+04:00

Vladimir Putin congratulated Yegor Gromadsky, Pyotr Borshchev and Andrei Bobrov for winning the team events at the 2026 World Modern Pentathlon Championships in Guiyang, China.

The message reads, in part:

“You performed brilliantly in one of the most challenging sports, focusing on the tasks at hand and demonstrating outstanding mastery, winning mindset and team spirit. Russian fans are celebrating your triumph that carries on the glorious traditions of Russian modern pentathlon training.”

Meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects

2026-08-19T20:19:04+04:00

The President chaired a meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects at the Kremlin.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak delivered a report on the implementation of the Structural Transformation Plan. Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov reported on measures to ensure balanced budgets for the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in 2026–2029. Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko spoke about working with regions to achieve the sociological indicators set out in the national development goals.

Head of the Russian Popular Front Executive Committee Mikhail Kuznetsov presented the results of monitoring the implementation of national projects. State Secretary — Deputy Minister of Defence and Chair of the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation Anna Tsivileva reported on systemic efforts to support special military operation participants and their families.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, good afternoon.

Today, we are holding a regular meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects. We will all work together – Government members, heads of regions, representatives of business associations and civil society groups – to discuss our far-reaching and shared effort to achieve Russia’s long-term development objectives. Let me remind you that these cover key sectors, including demographics, education, creating a people-friendly living environment, technological leadership, and the digital transition.

Of course, national goals also provide for ensuring robust and quality growth for our national economy and generating higher growth rates across a wide spectrum of sectors. I suggest we begin with this particular topic.

According to statistical data, overall economic performance has been quite modest, while remaining in positive territory. GDP growth has been about 1 percent. Let me note that this indicator was 0.6 percent in the first six months, against 1.3 percent growth in the second quarter.

Of course, several factors, including external pressure and terrorist attacks targeting our industrial sites and infrastructure, have been affecting economic growth rates.

It goes without saying that these attacks will not have, do not cause and cannot bring about any critical consequences. True, they do cause harm – this much is obvious, and we understand this, we see this, and we are aware of it.

I would like to emphasise once again that we must reinforce our national sovereignty and be more effective in terms of our defence and security, as well as, of course, on socioeconomic matters.

We are already carrying out the Economic Restructuring Plan, which provides, among other things, for creating modern, productive jobs and increasing output in sectors offering high added value – this is a matter of generating quality, robust growth within the national economy.

I will elaborate on the key conditions for fostering this kind of development separately. For now, let me note that the Government drafted the Economic Restructuring Plan last year and it is designed to cover a period until 2030. In keeping with our agreement, its implementation implies a steady and unrelenting effort with permanent performance assessments, including at the regional level and taking into consideration not only the way regional economies evolve, but also the situation with their budgets and the size of their debt burden. Today, we will hear a detailed report on this topic.

Now, let us address the conditions for economic growth. Spurring investment is the key for this.

Investment in Russia’s core capital increased by over 40 percent between 2019 and 2024. This result was largely due to major infrastructure and industrial projects that were primarily export-oriented. These include chemical production, metal industry, mining, petrochemistry and gas-to-chemicals sector.

The construction sector has demonstrated a robust investment pattern, with contribution from regional development support mechanisms and concessional mortgage programmes.

Since last year, many of the megaprojects have passed the main investment phase. They maintained their investment rates but many of them have been completed. Subsequently, the general capital investment rate has subsided. There are certainly other factors but this one is significant.

Our task now is to launch a new investment cycle and provide businesses with additional opportunities to invest in the development of industry, agriculture, services and housing construction.

I would like to stress that it is imperative to invest in projects that are primarily focused on domestic demand, the technological development of all areas, and digital platforming of economic sectors.

It is important to support the upgrading of urban and rural infrastructure, modernisation of housing and utilities, and construction and maintenance of sea and river ports, railways and motorways.

I should remark that, despite the recent terrorist attacks that I talked about, our commercial infrastructure continues its effective and stable operation. The conditions are challenging, no doubt about that, but everybody involved is coping with the tasks set by the current circumstances.

At the same time, the logistics and storage facilities certainly need to be recovered, including with state support. I am asking the Government to adopt a respective support programme. We must remember that the recovery of the damaged facilities must be done to a qualitatively higher technological standard.

Construction of electrical grids and generating stations is an industry of its own and an essential objective because as regions and territories develop and new projects and digital services are launched, power consumption always grows and will grow, as we all are well aware.

We have already established a package of investment support measures, including tax incentives, administrative mechanisms, credit subsidies and other instruments. I consider it appropriate for the Government to once again assess the effectiveness of these measures, to analyse how they are being utilised by enterprises at both federal and regional levels, and subsequently – together with the Central Bank and business associations – to submit proposals on improving the investment support system.

Let me reiterate: our objective is to ensure steady and sustainable growth in capital investments, including the modernisation of production facilities and the enhancement of labour productivity on a new technological foundation using autonomous systems and industrial robots, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence solutions. This is especially important given the personnel shortages in certain sectors. In this context, as we further improve the investment support system, it is essential to prioritise the stimulation of innovation. We have returned to this point repeatedly, but without such an approach, we will be unable to achieve the necessary pace of economic growth and structural transformation.

I would like to address the use of modern technologies in the social sphere separately. Here, we must double down our efforts – not just on paper, but in practice, in the work of outpatient clinics and hospitals, schools and universities, cultural and sports facilities, and so on.

We must ensure the widest possible dissemination of best regional practices throughout the country.

Of course, it is easiest to cite Moscow – but these are among the most striking examples and cannot go unmentioned. I want to speak about Moscow, where, for example, X-ray images are analysed at a single centre within seconds using computer vision. Examinations are carried out to a high standard and more rapidly than before – this is convenient for patients and reduces the burden on medical staff. Furthermore, expensive medical equipment does not stand idle and can serve a greater number of patients within the same timeframe. In short, this is a clear example of how to increase the efficiency of outpatient clinics and hospitals.

There are many such examples, and not just in Moscow, including telemedicine, automated appointment scheduling with doctors or other specialists, the use of digital assistants in service delivery, and so on. I have personally observed all of these developments during my visits to the regions. They are functioning effectively.

I instruct all agencies in the social sphere, drawing on best practices, to compile a portfolio of breakthrough solutions. These will be mandatory for social organisations participating in the federal project to increase labour productivity.

I also ask my colleagues in the social sector to take an active part in drafting the National Strategy for the Development of Digital Platforms. The preparation of this strategy was announced at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in June this year.

Once again, the potential of digital platforms must be fully realised not only in the economy, industry and trade, but also in healthcare and education. These areas must unconditionally be included in the National Strategy for the Development of Digital Platforms.

Moving on, those who are already working in the real economy and the social sector, as well as today’s students and future specialists must be offered opportunities for mastering advanced technology and benefit from their advantages by constantly improving their qualifications.

This must have a direct bearing on public administration. Starting this year, there has been a programme for officials in charge of ensuring that regions and various sectors have the workforce they need and that they adapt to technological shifts.

We agreed to launch this programme in December of last year at a State Council meeting, as drafted by Sber, the Presidential Executive Office, Russia – Land of Opportunities organisation and the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

What were its results? Unfortunately, not all officials – in fact, far from it – who had entered this programme actually took it. In fact, only 51 participants completed the first module, which amounts to 43 percent of the total number, and 73 people, or 62 percent, completed the second module. This goes to say that the attendance was quite low, and their performance leaves much to be desired, to tell you the truth.

Colleagues, we are not playing games here. There is a reason why we are doing this. Those who took part and discovered the latest solutions they can use in their work, they had to understand the way this can benefit their work. I would like to draw your attention to this fact.

I ask the Executive Office to take a closer look at the situation we have in this regard, which can go as far as taking specific measures regarding those who have ignored this initiative, as well as those who are simply showing up without actually doing anything. We must understand that if a person fails to show up, if someone is not interested, this means that they do not want to achieve anything, have no ambition, they lack positive ambition. Please, do not treat this as some kind of a formality.

Another thing I wanted to stress is that high-performing specialists and advanced infrastructure can serve as a foundation for ensuring quality social services. Of course, feedback from people is the main criteria in this regard.

Starting this year, people can use the e-government services portal to review and rate various educational, medical, sports and cultural institutions. This means that their heads and local governments can get feedback. For now, 30 regions offer this service. I call on all Russia’s regions to launch online rating of social institutions so that this effort goes hand in hand with developing digital platforms which enable people, for example, to easily use this tool on their mobile devices. I ask the Russian Popular Front to oversee the quality of services and the satisfaction with the way the social sector works.

Colleagues,

I have said on numerous occasions that the joint efforts of government, business, and public associations within the framework of national projects must be directed towards the most important goal: steadily improving people’s quality of life. We discuss this constantly. We must create opportunities for every person in every Russian region to gain a profession and find a well-paying job, to provide for their families and children, and to live in modern, comfortable conditions. Such positive changes must be reflected not only in reports and statements. People themselves must see and feel the improvements. That is the main criterion. And if something is not working as it should, and citizens rightly point this out, those signals must be picked up promptly and decisions taken without delay – both at the federal level and in the regions and locally.

We have a system of sociological assessments in place. Citizens can express their views on the state of education, healthcare, public transport, and other services in their city or district. They can highlight successes or flag shortcomings.

The Government must continuously analyse the results of such monitoring. I emphasise: every minister and every deputy prime minister must engage in meaningful collaboration with the regions, addressing local issues where certain areas are still lagging – and such areas do exist, which means additional efforts and resources are needed. Today, we will hear the Government’s report on this matter.

I would also add that, at my instruction, the Accounts Chamber conducted an audit of national project implementation. It naturally identified weaknesses in this work and made specific findings and recommendations. I trust these will be taken into account and reflected in both the legislative framework and in Government decisions.

I would note that substantial funds are allocated to national projects – from the federal budget, private investors, and regional budgets – and it is essential that all national project objectives and measures are delivered on schedule, in the planned volumes, and with the requisite funding.

Here, special attention must be paid to the state of regional finances.

In the first half of this year, both revenues and expenditures of the consolidated regional budgets increased by 5.9 percent. The overall deficit stood at 160 billion rubles – roughly the same as a year earlier. However, regional expenditure is expected to rise towards the end of the year. At the suggestion of the United Russia party, we have decided to provide additional support to regional budgets by deferring the repayment deadline for budget loans beyond 2030. This measure will leave an additional sum at the disposal of the regions – approximately 100 billion rubles annually over the next four years – which they will be able to use for development purposes.

I propose taking another important decision: to provide assistance to the regions whose budgetary situation is clearly the most challenging. This year, they will receive at least an additional 100 billion rubles. Today, we will discuss the time and the principles for these funds to be be distributed.

I would like to draw the government’s attention to the importance of ensuring the balance and sustainability of the overall budget system. I know that the Ministry of Finance, together with our colleagues from the constituent entities, is already developing additional tools to strengthen regional finances.

At the same time, there are situations in which universal, standard approaches are ineffective, particularly when a region has a budget deficit and a relatively high level of debt. Moreover, interest rates on this debt may significantly exceed the federal rate, resulting in particularly high debt-servicing and repayment costs. For example, as of August 1, 2026, commercial debt accounted for a third of the regions' total public debt.

These constituent entities cannot be left to cope with their current difficulties on their own. On the contrary, we need to take tailored support measures, including providing liquidity to regional budgets and medium-term financing linked to a clear regional development programme. I believe the Ministry of Finance’s approach is entirely justified.

I would like to ask the government to identify such constituent entities, propose a set of mechanisms to restore their financial stability, and, together with the regions, develop and approve financial and economic recovery programs for a period of up to five years.

I repeat: ensuring the sustainability of regional budgets is, among other things, a direct responsibility of the federal government and the Ministry of Finance. I ask that these fundamental considerations be taken into account.

Thank you very much for your attention.

The floor now goes to Mr Novak.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, would anyone like to add anything to the topics we have discussed today or make any comments or suggestions? Please. No? Well, it’s up to you.

We have a list of instructions; it is small, with just three items. The first concerns the completion of the regional section of the Plan for Structural Changes in the Economy through 2030. A report is due by October 1, but no one is responsible for it. (Addressing Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.) Perhaps, Mr Novak? Agreed.

The second instruction concerns monitoring the achievement of target indicators. Mr Mishustin, you are responsible for this, aren’t you?

And the third is essentially a request to the Popular Front to continue its work monitoring the ongoing changes.

Colleagues,

We understand the importance of everything we have discussed today. The discussion was fairly thorough, although the reports themselves were, at the same time, relatively formal.Yet the work itself should not be formal or merely procedural.

Everything we do is important. Not a single issue is minor – not a single one. And I ask you to approach this work with a clear understanding of the importance of what we are all doing together.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations to Russian national team on winning the first place in the combined team standings at the 2026 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Frankfurt am Main

2026-08-17T19:12:51+04:00

Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian national team on taking the first place in the combined team standings at the 2026 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championship in Frankfurt am Main, Germany: Maria Borisova, Sofia Ilteryakova, Agata Barekzay, Alisa Yeremeyeva, Arina Lavrenova, Anna Nikolayeva, Sofia Solonskaya, and Daria Melnik.

The message reads, in part:

“You honourably represented Russia at this season’s head competition, demonstrating thorough preparation for the event, artistry, skill and team spirit. You gave your coaches, teammates and devoted fans unforgettable moments of joy and triumph. Your victory has made a significant contribution to the remarkable traditions of Russian rhythmic gymnastics.”

Meeting of the Council for Science and Education

2026-08-12T22:04:28+04:00

Vladimir Putin chaired a meeting of the Council for Science and Education in Novosibirsk. Before the meeting, the President visited the Siberian Circular Photon Source Shared Research Centre (SKIF) and inspected the preparations for the launch of this megascience facility.

The Siberian Circular Photon Source – the world’s finest source of such radiation in the mid-energy range – will facilitate scientific research using synchrotron radiation beams and provide ultra-precise data on the structure of matter and atomic-level processes, including ultra-fast phenomena. Users of the SKIF facility will enjoy access to all requisite infrastructure, with research conducted around the clock. The centre’s capabilities will support not only theoretical investigations but also practical applications, including the development of advanced pharmaceuticals, as well as the examination of ancient artefacts without jeopardising their structural integrity.

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

Today, we are holding another meeting of the Council for Science and Education. The issues on our agenda are systemic and fundamental. We will discuss concrete decisions and mechanisms that will enable us to significantly accelerate and drive forward the development of future technologies.

To this end, it is imperative, first and foremost, that we address our priority objectives and effectively integrate Russia’s strategic scientific assets, in particular, our research schools and advanced digital computing resources, alongside the unique bioresource collections established by Nikolai Vavilov and other eminent Russian scientists – collections which, if memory serves, Peter the Great began assembling in 1714, I believe, in St Petersburg, at the Kunstkamera.

Remark: The Apothecary Garden.

Vladimir Putin: Quite right, the Apothecary Garden. Later, Nikolai Vavilov made an outstanding and truly world-class contribution. This endeavour continued to advance during the Soviet period. It is worth recalling the era of the Great Patriotic War, when scientists in Leningrad starved to death, yet did not consume a single grain, not a single potato tuber from these collections. All of this was amassed over centuries and decades, and handed down from generation to generation.

Of course, there is a wide network of megascience-class installations that can, without exaggeration, be used for research and experiments on a planetary scale.

This sort of integrated architecture will allow for the retrieval of as-yet-undiscovered knowledge and the operation of a colossal datasets on the environment, matter, organic and inorganic substances, to create conceptually new projects, materials, and complex systems on their basis.

I would like to highlight once again: it would be no exaggeration to say that in today’s world, literally everything hinges on how quickly we develop and, of course, implement innovations. This includes our sovereignty, economic development, solutions to civilian and crucial defence tasks that are currently technologically intertwined. In fundamental research, there has always been a dimension pertaining to defence and national security, prospective weaponry and military equipment.

Of course, these issues are not directly related to this council meeting, but we must clearly understand this when we set goals for science, including telecommunications, quantum technology, biotechnology, space, and new energy sources, including thermonuclear synthesis.

The comprehensive development programme for megascience-class installations is designed to address the large-scale and long-term objectives in these fields. As a result, Russia is definitely among the world leaders for such extremely complex scientific research infrastructure. Allow me to remind you – and I believe, participants in this project will never forget – that it was here, in the Academic Town, that the council decided to launch the megascience installation programme during its meeting in 2018. Valery Bukhtiyarov [Director of the Institute of Catalysis of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences] has just said that it is a result of my decisions. I struck the ball back to him: my decisions came in response to your requests and your vision of what holds the greatest importance and highest potential for fundamental research and its applications.

It has been a success. I have just seen this installation. It is truly impressive. We will certainly continue this work. I will say a few more words about this.

One of the projects discussed back then was the Siberian Circular Photon Source. We have just visited it. It is currently one of the most powerful particle accelerator in the world with some unique parameters that allows for exploring the world of atoms and molecules.

We expect its first research stations to be launched by this year-end. Russia has autonomously built around 30 units of critically important equipment (seven are currently in operation; the plan was to build 30 but it may go beyond that), including for this project, as our partners from other countries refused to supply such equipment.

Subsequently, we had to “push back” the launch of the Siberian Circular Photon Source, so to speak. However, we have become even stronger – this is certainly the case when we have become even stronger having built our competence in this field, our technological sovereignty and added more “technological keys” to our existing competences. Most certainly, we can and must take on new projects and scale up best solutions. Under no circumstances can we allow the newly created research and development teams to remain idle, the more so to decline. They should be able to fulfill all the plans we discussed in 2018, some of which are already in the pipeline.

Therefore, I suggest outlining further steps for developing new and modernising existing megascience infrastructure. Transformation and modernisation are underway at the Kurchatov Institute. All the paperwork is ready at Protvino, as far as I know. The Far Eastern Federal University on Russky Island is finilising respective proposals on the groundwork phase. At Gatchina, the work is showing fast progress across two fields. This project is in full swing.

The second point I wanted to talk about is that the logic behind scientific and technological development requires that approaches to the megascience infrastructure management and financing should be changed. Its expansion and application must become a priority when planning Russia’s science budget. Of course, we must prevent research results from hanging in the air without application. That would mean squandering colossal funds and years of painstaking efforts by invaluable scientists and research teams.

We must organise our work in such a way that domestic businesses and enterprises become the principal clients for breakthrough scientific solutions and technologies, assuming clear obligations to develop successful and competitive products on this basis. In fact, this process is already underway in biology, medicine, pharmaceuticals, materials science and many other disciplines. Our colleagues have just reported on this. Orders have already been placed, interested enterprises are participating, and our business community is demonstrating considerable enthusiasm, as is the state itself, across a range of sectors, including defence, chemistry, materials science and our energy companies. Let me reiterate that all these opportunities must serve the interests of both fundamental science and our domestic economy, healthcare and the social sphere.

The third point I would like to emphasise is that special and heightened attention must continue to be devoted to the national centres for genetic resources. The biological collections of plants, animals and micro-organisms in their custody are, without exaggeration, unique.

It is imperative to identify mechanisms for substantial financial and other forms of support for the development programmes of such centres, so that they can expand research in genetics, foster advanced developments in the bioeconomy, pharmaceuticals and food security, and cultivate human resource capacity to address not only present but also future challenges.

As regards human resources, I was pleased to meet with young scientists and school graduates – indeed, I was reluctant to leave: they are engaging young people, highly promising and forward-looking. These are precisely the individuals who are oriented towards the future. Here in Novosibirsk, a truly unique environment has been created: from school to university to full-scale research.

Let me add that all data available in Russia on genetic resources – animals, plants and micro-organisms, since we are discussing this matter – will be consolidated in the National Database of Genetic Information. The decision has been taken. Estimates suggest that approximately 10 petabytes of data will be uploaded to this database annually. Since we are addressing a broad audience, let me note that this equates to around five trillion pages of printed text. Naturally, all decisions in this area must under no circumstances result in an excessive monopoly or impede researchers in their work with the available materials, nor should they hinder the maintenance of scientific contacts with colleagues in other countries.

Fourth – such a vast unified digital repository of genomes, together with the entire megascience infrastructure, provides a colossal volume of scientific data, which must serve as the foundation for research and development efforts and, crucially, for the creation and training of Russian sovereign artificial intelligence models, both fundamental and sector-specific.

Accordingly, access to such unique databases should be granted to our scientific and educational organisations, high-technology companies and industrial enterprises. To this end, it is necessary to integrate all strategic scientific assets with computing capacity, supercomputers and sovereign cloud technologies – in essence, to construct a comprehensive platform ecosystem for the scientific and technological development of Russia. At the same time, it is essential to ensure the security and reliability of its operation in every respect, including the safeguarding of data that constitute the property of the Russian Federation.

Fifth, addressing the challenges I have just mentioned is a prerequisite for increasing the effectiveness of domestic science and organising research and development across the country. All our efforts in this area must be accompanied by a dramatic improvement in the quality of higher education and training. I have just described what is happening there.

In this regard, I would like to emphasise that we must continue our current course of developing advanced, truly strong universities and research centres in Russia’s regions. Where appropriate, we should consolidate the potential of research and higher education institutions working on related research and educational objectives.

The purpose of this approach is to improve the quality of education, create modern conditions for faculty and students, and increase support for talented researchers, leading departments and laboratories, and strong research teams capable of achieving significant results, conducting cutting-edge research, and training undergraduate and graduate students at the intersection of different scientific fields.

The establishment of such powerful research and educational centres in the regions, their continued operation, and the implementation of their development programs will naturally require additional funding. I ask the government to allocate the necessary funds from the draft federal budget for the next three years. I also ask the regions to actively support these centres, as they can become powerful growth points, drivers of regional development, and new opportunities for young people, teachers, and young researchers to unlock their potential.

In this regard, I would like to make one more decision. Currently, cutting-edge scientific, educational, and social infrastructure is being developed in the regions, including through programmes to build university campuses and create megascience facilities. Access to this infrastructure should not be exclusive or restricted. On the contrary, the idea is that scientists, teachers, students, universities, and research institutes from across the country should be able to make joint use of these modern facilities and opportunities. I ask the government to work out all the necessary organisational and legal mechanisms for this.

In conclusion, I would like to add one more thing: achieving practical, truly breakthrough results requires the maximum concentration of efforts by all participants in Russia’s scientific and technological development. An example of such team work – I have already mentioned it, but it is worth repeating – was demonstrated by our colleagues who worked on the creation of the Siberian Circular Photon Source. They included researchers from the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics and the Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, Novosibirsk State University, Rosatom organisations, and the Kurchatov Institute. Its president, Mikhail Kovalchuk, is the ideologist and, one might say, the driving force behind the development of this megascience infrastructure. Let us begin today’s meeting by discussing plans for its further development.

Mr Kovalchuk, please, you have the floor.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: Colleagues,

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all of you on today’s event and thank those who were directly involved in creating the SKIF synchrotron.

This project did not mark the beginning of our work within this framework, or in terms of operating these capabilities at this scale. In fact, it builds on what was already achieved by those who came before us back in the Soviet era, and then by us over recent years. Someone rightly noted during this meeting that this will give a strong impetus to further developing education in Russia, science and research, and the key branches of manufacture and the economy, which can benefit from what megascience systems like this one have to offer.

While thanking you for this work, I would also like to recognise members of the Council for Science and Education for our joint work over the past year and, in fact, all these years. I hope that we will continue working in the same manner, while also implementing the projects and programmes we have discussed during today’s meeting.

Of course, my colleagues from the Presidential Executive Office and I will set out everything that was said today in the corresponding documents, and the Government of the Russian Federation will rely on them in its decision-making process.

Thank you. All the best to all of you.

Congratulations on International Chess Day

2026-07-20T12:30:30+04:00

Vladimir Putin extended congratulations to professional players, coaches and tutors, as well as to all chess enthusiasts and fans on International Chess Day.

The message reads, in part:

“This ancient intellectual sport enjoys popularity throughout the world. Its ideals and values bring together people of different ages and generations, nationalities and cultures. Chess develops the ability to think logically and make sound decisions quickly, while also fostering determination and perseverance. Of course, we take great pride in the rich history and remarkable traditions of the Russian chess school, as well as its legendary winners and champions.

It is gratifying that today considerable attention is being paid to preserving and developing the unique creative legacy of our prominent grandmasters. Specialised centres, schools and clubs are opening across the country, while large-scale chess tournaments, and festivals including international events, are being held. Most importantly, more and more young people, students and schoolchildren are gathering around the chessboard.

I am confident that today’s celebration will take place in an atmosphere of fair competition and friendly communication and will serve to further promote chess.”

Meeting of the Commission on the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies

2026-07-16T15:23:29+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin and Deputy Prime Minister – Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko chaired the second meeting of the Commission on the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies.

The meeting reviewed proposals on the introduction of artificial intelligence technologies into two priority sectors of the Russian economy – industry and transport. The meeting heard reports from business leaders, as well as heads of relevant federal executive authorities.

The meeting participants also reviewed performance targeting in applying AI technologies at the regional level, in the context of the Government’s preparation of the national plan for the integration of AI technologies into economic sectors, the social sphere and public administration at both the federal level and the level of Russian constituent entities in 2027–2030.

The meeting was held at the Presidential Executive Office.

Meeting of Interdepartmental Commission to support Russia’s participation in the G20

2026-06-26T20:18:22+04:00

Representative (Sherpa) of the President of Russia in the Group of Twenty, Chief of the Presidential Experts’ Directorate Denis Agafonov chaired a meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission to support Russia’s participation in the G20.

The meeting reviewed the priorities of the Russian Federation within the Group of Twenty in the context of the 2026 United States presidency. Following the discussion, approaches were defined for shaping G20 agreements in priority thematic areas: innovation, energy, international trade, economic growth, and deregulation.

Progress in preparations for the second meeting of G20 Sherpas, scheduled for June 29–30 under the United States presidency, was also considered. The upcoming event is expected to address key issues of multilateral cooperation and global economic development, as well as launch substantive preparations for the G20 Summit in Miami on December 14–15, 2026.

Winners of the 2025 National Awards of the Russian Federation announced

2026-06-11T17:07:38+04:00

The winners of the 2025 National Awards of the Russian Federation in science and technology, literature and art, for outstanding achievements in humanitarian, human rights and charity work have been announced.

The winners were announced at a special briefing by Presidential Aide Andrei Fursenko, Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and Presidential Adviser and Chairman of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights Valery Fadeyev.

Seminar meeting on implementing State National Policy Strategy by regional executive authorities

2026-06-12T23:13:52+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Siberian Federal District Anatoly Seryshev held the annual district seminar meeting in Kyzyl on the tasks and progress of regional executive authorities in implementing the State National Policy Strategy. Seminar meetings are held in every federal district as per Vladimir Putin’s instruction.

The meeting was attended by Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov, Head of the Republic of Tyva Vladislav Khovalyg, deputy governors and representatives of federal and regional government bodies, and experts.

Magomedsalam Magomedov stressed in his remarks that the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia announced by the President has strategic significance for the country’s progress, and for the strengthening of the Russian nation.

“It is important that the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia aligns with the launch of the new State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation until 2036. In this context, we must emphasise everything meaningful that unites us: the unity of the front and the home front during the special military operation; the unity in preserving and strengthening traditional Russian spiritual and moral values like patriotism, service to the Fatherland, and family values; and, of course, the unity of the peoples of Russia.” It is important to focus primarily on the peoples who have historically resided on Russian territory, and on the unifying role of the Russian people and Russian culture in the life of our country, Magomedsalam Magomedov noted.

The meeting participants discussed topical matters concerning inter-ethnic relations and the situation in each region of the federal district. As Mr Magomedov pointed out, the situation in the Siberian Federal District remains stable and manageable, with some performance indicators above the national average.

The participants also discussed tasks pertaining to the State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation and gave corresponding recommendations.

A number of decisions were adopted following the meeting.

During this working trip, Magomedsalam Magomedov and Anatoly Seryshev held a working meeting with Head of the Republic of Tyva Vladislav Khovalyg, during which they discussed the republic’s socioeconomic development and inter-ethnic relations.

Meeting of the Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian language and Languages of the Peoples of Russia

2026-06-03T13:29:33+04:00

Ahead of Pushkin Day in Russia – also celebrated as Russian Language Day – Vladimir Putin held a meeting of the Council for State Policy on Promoting the Russian language and Languages of the Peoples of Russia, via video conference.

Yelena Yampolskaya delivered the main report covering the progress of efforts to implement the President’s instructions and the Council’s main areas of focus.

Proposals were also submitted for discussion regarding further support of the Russian language and the languages of the peoples of Russia, including editorial and educational public projects.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

As per tradition, we hold this council’s meetings ahead of Pushkin Day in Russia, or Russian Language Day. First of all, congratulations on the upcoming holiday. Thank you for your activism and especially for developing the fundamentals of the state language policy of the Russian Federation.

For the first time, our country has a strategic plan that determines the priorities and main areas of focus with regards to the preservation, development and support of the Russian language as well as the languages of other peoples living in Russia.

The action plan for the implementation of these fundamental principles has been approved. I would like to ask the Government to ensure its funding and execution.

I also believe it important to grant the report on the state language policy the status of a state report. It is a significant project that should be delivered annually.

Colleagues, next autumn, on September 8, our wonderful poet Rasul Gamzatov’s birthday, we will mark the Day of the Languages of the Peoples of Russia for the first time. It is symbolic that this initiative is being launched during the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia.

It is equally important to start the publishing project called The Library of Russian Peoples’ Literature Masterpieces this year. This library will include Russian translations of the best works by ethnic authors and will make them available to a broader readership.

This book series is included in the instructions on supporting the Russian language and the languages of the Russian peoples that I issued on February 3, 2026. I would like to highlight some more instructions as well.

First, work will soon begin on developing an academic module for higher education institutions titled “Russian as a State Language.” This module will cover, among other things, the constitutional status of the Russian language and issues related to Russia’s language policy. It would be prudent if, in the future, this subject became part of the core curriculum in higher education.

Second, it is observed that many of our higher education institutions lack a separate faculty of Russian language and Literature. Russian philology, German philology, and English philology are all, on an equal basis, components of a single faculty of philology. This is clearly inconsistent with the perception of the Russian language as one of the core values of modern Russia.

I am aware that last year, an independent faculty of Russian language and literature was established at the Vladimir Vernadsky Crimean Federal University. I hope that other federal universities will follow the example of our colleagues in Crimea, particularly those that train future language and literature teachers.

Third, it is necessary to improve the quality of training for primary school teachers. The number of hours allocated to the study of the Russian language and literature, as well as teaching methodologies, should certainly be increased.

These subjects directly affect the development of the general and speech culture of future primary school teachers and their aesthetic sensibilities, which ultimately affects the upbringing and education of children. Indeed, the level of proficiency in the Russian language, articulate speech, and the ability to read and comprehend texts significantly contributes to a student’s high academic performance in all other subjects. It is no coincidence that the task of improving the system of teaching the Russian language and literature in educational institutions has been designated as a priority of state language policy.

One of the solutions to this task is the preparation of unified state textbooks on the Russian language and literature for the secondary education system. I ask that you report today on the progress of this work.

Allow me to remind you that all test and examination materials must be aligned with the content of these textbooks. This will ensure that only the material that has been studied – what the students covered in class – is tested.

One further proposal. The summer holidays have begun. In recent years, an increasing number of children’s recreational camps have been organising themed sessions: geographical, historical, and cultural. I have no doubt that sessions dedicated to the Russian language and national literature will also attract considerable interest among children, adolescents, their parents, and teachers. I ask the Ministry of Education and the Federal Agency for Youth to participate in implementing this idea, starting with federal children’s camps.

In conclusion, I would note that many of the instructions issued following previous meetings of the Council have been implemented, and many are in progress. I hope that new proposals will be put forward today, including those aimed at supporting people with disabilities, for example, those with hearing or speech impairments who use Russian Sign Language. There are nearly 200,000 speakers of this language in our country. It is crucial to ensure an appropriate quality and quantity of teachers and interpreters in this field.

Let us begin our work.

<…>

Vladimir Putin: Let me say a few words in conclusion of our meeting.

First, regarding the proposals made here today, such as Children’s Book Day, which Ms Yampolskaya and her colleagues put forward. We will certainly support it; it is a good and worthwhile idea. I remember a colleague mentioning the presentation of 1943 books and other materials during one such event. This is certainly very good. You know, it is extremely important for us, especially for our young people and children, to sense the atmosphere of that period, which can best be achieved through literature of that period, so that they understand how their peers lived.

Just recently, on May 9, Alexander Lukashenko, who visited our country for the celebrations, brought along bread baked according to recipes used during the war in Stalingrad, Leningrad and other regions of the former Soviet Union. It was interesting to taste bread made during the siege of Leningrad, made in Stalingrad, Moscow and other cities.

But literary, creative and cultural nourishment is no less important. It is of paramount importance and must certainly include modern books for children.

As for the revival of the Pushkin Society, this should certainly be done. Thank you for drawing our attention to this issue. This should be done, and we must do it in the best possible manner. Likewise, we should support the idea proposed by [Director of the State Pushkin Museum] Yevgeny Bogatyrev regarding the 2027 events [the 180^th anniversary of Alexander Pushkin’s death and 135 years since the establishment of the first Pushkin Society]. We certainly should and will provide assistance to this year’s events related to Pushkin.

The only thing I would like to ask all our colleagues and Council members is that these events focus on Pushkin as a phenomenon and a genius. We all know, of course, that Pushkin’s genius and works form the basis of the modern Russian language. But it would be good if we could show how the origins of his genius developed and what are the fundamental elements of Russian literature.

We all remember his verses – sorry if I get it wrong, but I think it sounds like this: “Old Derzhavin noticed us – and, descending to his grave, blessed us.” This means that there were other literary phenomena before Pushkin upon whom his works were built. It would be reasonable to use this not only to once again talk about the importance of Pushkin and his works, even though this is certainly important, but also to highlight everything connected with this, including the future development of the Russian language and literature.

We must certainly do everything possible to support the Russian sign language. I fully agree: hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens use it, and we must ensure that they feel like full members of our society.

The proposal to publish the Library of Masterpieces of the Peoples of Russia series is an excellent one. I mentioned this in my conversation with the Acting Head of Daghestan. I believe we devote far too little attention to the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation. The communities themselves do not always pay enough attention to them, and the federal government and the expert community certainly should do more to support and promote them. I therefore believe that this is an extremely important area of work and it will undoubtedly receive support.

As for working with children during the summer, that is a separate area altogether. I would like to ask our colleagues, particularly those in the Government, to give it the closest possible attention and to take into account the recommendations of our Council.

Before concluding, I would like to make one more point.

When it comes to our native language, we often take it for granted. Even when we overlook certain things or fail to pay attention to them, we assume everything will somehow take care of itself. Take advertising in the Latin alphabet, which is widespread. There is less of it in Moscow than elsewhere, but even here we see plenty of examples, many of them entirely unnecessary.

Of course, there are brands and trademarks that cannot simply change their names, nor should they be expected to. However, even where companies use internationally recognised brands that they must retain, it is still possible to think about how to present them in a way that is more appropriate and accessible for people in Russia, on Russian territory.

Incidentally, speaking of cooperation in this area, you have probably noticed the initiative put forward by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He proposed creating an international association for the Russian language. It is an excellent initiative. I would ask you to support it at the expert level as well. The structure has already been formally established, but it is important to fill it with meaningful, substantive and engaging content at the expert level. That would be very useful.

Sometimes we assume that certain things will simply fall into place on their own, even if we forget about them. We think they will somehow develop naturally. I believe that is a misconception – and a dangerous one. Nothing develops by itself. Nothing takes shape or gets done on its own.

What is needed is thoughtful, focused work by specialists of public organisations, the media, and the state. Everyone must work together.

I would now like to address the members of our Council directly. It is the expert community, the specialists who have devoted their lives to the Russian language, to its study, preservation and promotion, who should define the key ideas, priorities and direction of this work. The state can only support these efforts. Indeed, it has a duty to do so but experts and specialists, above all those represented on this Council, are the ones who should determine the substance of this work.

Therefore, I would like to ask Ms Yampolskaya to continue coordinating the Council’s activities. It is also essential to draft all legislative instruments to ensure that the recommendations put forward by Council members are not forgotten but are instead reflected in corresponding regulations, instructions and other official decisions. Where necessary, let us organise this work in such a way that these recommendations are incorporated into the corresponding regulatory framework of the Russian Federation Government and are properly followed through. Everything we have discussed today should remain on the agenda of our joint efforts – those of the Government, the Presidential Executive Office, and the Presidential Council, whose members and I have spent the last two hours discussing what I believe are extremely important issues.

There are always many pressing day-to-day problems. My colleagues in the Government, including the ministers who spoke today, will of course continue their work and organise policy implementation. But I would like to reiterate one point: even the most senior and capable officials are busy with their day-to-day work. Defining a broader vision and principal directions for supporting the Russian language, everything connected with it, and for supporting the languages of the peoples of the Russian Federation, is a task that rightly belongs to the expert community.

Therefore, I urge you to continue this work and to contact the Presidential Executive Office whenever necessary, without hesitation, as well as Ms Yampolskaya. And I ask Ms Yampolskaya, as I have already said, to prepare the necessary regulatory framework to ensure the continuation of our joint work in line with the agreements reached during today's meeting.

Thank you all very much.

All the best.

Meeting of interdepartmental commission on implementing state programme to assist resettlement of compatriots

2026-06-10T14:45:44+04:00

The 34^th meeting of the interdepartmental commission for the implementation of the state programme to assist voluntary resettlement of compatriots to the Russian Federation was chaired by the Commission’s Head, Minister of the Interior Vladimir Kolokoltsev.

Deputies and assistants to the presidential plenipotentiary envoys to the federal districts, heads of federal executive bodies, First Deputy Governor of the Lipetsk Region Alexander Ryabchenko, and Deputy Chairman of the Tula Region Government Dmitry Markov attended the meeting.

The Commission Chairman emphasised that the state programme for the resettlement of compatriots was one of the key elements of Russia’s migration policy. Since its launch, more than 1.23 million people moved to Russia under the programme and became an integral part of the country’s sociocultural landscape. This figure is comparable to the population of such Russian regions as the Penza or Vladimir regions. Most arrivals came from Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia. As a rule, they are working-age individuals raising children and holding degrees of either higher or secondary professional education. They have successfully integrated into their host communities and are contributing to the country’s development.

The majority of compatriots settled in the Central, Siberian, Ural, and Volga federal districts.

The Interior Minister stressed that, amid a challenging geopolitical environment and the Russophobic campaign being waged in the West, efforts are continuously being made to improve the state programme, with new procedures being introduced to facilitate compatriots’ return home.

One such important innovation includes the institution of repatriation, which has proven its value over the past two years. While in the first year of its implementation, 2024, repatriates accounted for just over 20 percent of all applicants, in 2025, the figure reached 44 percent, and during the first four months of this year it exceeded 50 percent. In all, approximately 11,000 people have used this mechanism, more than 23.5 percent of whom were compatriots from unfriendly countries, including Germany, the Baltic states, Canada, the United States, and Israel, to name a few.

Russia’s constituent entities now have the opportunity to provide this category of individuals with financial and social support measures under their regional resettlement programmes.

Work on modernising this mechanism is ongoing. In accordance with Presidential Executive Order No. 634 of September 8, 2025, compatriots who were born in or previously resided in the reunited territories have been made part of those eligible for repatriation.

The Minister highlighted new areas of work identified in the State Migration Policy Concept of the Russian Federation for 2026–2030.

Since September 2024, Presidential Executive Order No. 702 of August 19, 2024, aimed at supporting foreign nationals who share Russia’s traditional spiritual and moral values, has been implemented. The Executive Order established a simplified procedure for entering Russia and for obtaining temporary residence permit. By early May, approximately 3,500 applications for such permits had been submitted, 90 percent of which had been approved. One percent of applicants were refused, while the remaining applications are still under consideration. The largest groups of applicants are citizens of Germany (18 percent), Latvia (11 percent), the United States (9 percent), France (7 percent), and Italy (7 percent).

Since mid-April, the Interior Ministry, in conjunction with relevant agencies and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, has begun the practical implementation of Presidential Executive Order No. 883 of December 2, 2025, which is intended to facilitate the relocation to Russia of foreign nationals and stateless persons deemed to be of interest to the country. As part of preferential measures available to them, such individuals are entitled not only to simplified entry procedures and temporary residence permits, but also to permanent residence permits. The designated operator is the Autonomous Non-Profit Organisation “Agency for Attracting Foreign Talent to Russia,” to which applicants are required to submit their petitions.

During the meeting, the Interdepartmental Commission reviewed issues relating to the implementation of regional resettlement programmes in the Lipetsk and Tula regions, as well as measures aimed at improving employment support for participants in the state programme and their family members and facilitating their retention and integration in Russia’s regions.

Workshop conference on the practices and tasks of regional executive authorities in implementing the State National Policy Strategy

2026-05-29T15:20:49+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Central Federal District Igor Shchegolev held an annual workshop conference on the practices and tasks of regional executive authorities in implementing the State National Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation in the Vladimir Region. These workshop seminars are conducted at the President’s instructions in each federal district.

The conference was attended by Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov, Vladimir Region Governor Alexander Avdeyev, deputy governors and representatives of federal and regional authorities, and members of the expert community.

Magomedsalam Magomedov said in his opening remarks that state national policy is a key priority when it comes to ensuring internal stability and ethnic security in the country. He emphasised the implementation of the Presidential Executive Order On Holding the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia in 2026 and the new State National Policy Strategy until 2036.

It was pointed out during the conference that the situation in the Central Federal District remains stable and manageable despite the unprecedented external pressure and attempts to destabilise our inter-ethnic relations. At the same time, participants spoke about significant risks in this sphere and held an in-depth discussion on the migration situation. They stated that the migration factor remains one of the most acute issues affecting inter-ethnic relations, which is why continued regulation in this sphere and systematic work with foreign nationals remain essential.

The regions of the Central Federal District were advised to adopt strategic planning documents as soon as possible and update state programmes in accordance with the provisions of the new Strategy to ensure the achievement of the target indicators. The participants highlighted the implementation of the President’s instructions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of local authorities’ implementation of state national policy.

Relevant decisions were taken following the conference.

During their working trip, Magomedsalam Magomedov and Igor Shchegolev held a meeting with Vladimir Region Governor Alexander Avdeyev, during which they discussed socioeconomic development and inter-ethnic relations in the region.

Meeting of the Commission on the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies

2026-05-20T12:47:51+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin, and Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko chaired the first meeting of the Commission on the Development of Artificial Intelligence Technologies at the Presidential Executive Office.

The Commission was established on the President’s instructions following the AI Journey 2025 conference in November 2025.

The primary objective of the Commission is to chart strategic approaches and coordinate the formulation and implementation of state policy in the sphere of AI technologies.

During the meeting, participants noted that in Russia, artificial intelligence is no longer merely changing individual processes but is becoming a key technology that restructures entire sectors of the economy. In recent years, Russia has achieved significant results in the development of artificial intelligence. Products developed by companies such as Sberbank and Yandex are recognised as among the best in the world.

Meeting participants reviewed approaches to international cooperation and strategies for promoting Russian AI technologies, as well as related services in foreign markets. They adopted a number of practical decisions on this issue.

They discussed in great detail progress in implementing the President’s instruction of January 3, 2026, on formulating the national plan for the integration of AI technologies into economic sectors, the social sphere and public administration at both the federal level and the level of Russian constituent entities in 2027–2030.

Order on measures to support and develop sambo in Russia

2026-05-13T17:17:38+04:00

The President signed an Order On Measures to Support and Develop Sambo in the Russian Federation.

In connection with the 90^th anniversary of recognising sambo as a sport, to be marked in 2028, and considering the major role this unique Russian-born martial art plays in promoting patriotic education and physical fitness among young people, the President has instructed the Government of the Russian Federation to form an organising committee for holding events devoted to sambo’s 90^th anniversary as a sports discipline.

The President has also instructed the Government to take additional measures to enable more people to practice sambo, as well as to offer state support for members of the national sambo sport teams.

Regional executive bodies have received a recommendation to take measures aimed at promoting sambo among young people, as well as other age groups, and further developing this sports discipline in the Russian Federation.

Meeting of the Commission for Veteran Affairs

2026-05-28T18:07:22+04:00

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held a regular meeting of the Presidential Commission for Veteran Affairs.

Members of the commission discussed the provision of medical care, medications and spa treatment to veterans of the Great Patriotic War and combat veterans, as well as support in veteran employment.

“We have the approved legislation on state social protection guarantees for veterans, primarily the right to priority access to medical care, rehabilitation, subsidised medications, medical check-ups (including consultations with narrow specialists and medical psychologists), and support of professional self-realisation The main thing now is to ensure the implementation of these decisions at the local level,” Tatyana Golikova stated.

In 2025, routine medical examinations have been conducted for about 10,000 disabled veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War, over 120,000 widows and widowers of disabled veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War, residents of besieged Leningrad, Sevastopol and Stalingrad, and former underage inmates of concentration camps and ghettoes, as well as for over 105,000 veterans of the special military operation. Over 44 percent of them were recommended to undergo follow-up examination.

Spa treatment was provided to nearly 800 participants of the Great Patriotic War and nearly 22,500 veterans of the special military operation in 2025.

Since January 1, 2026, participants in the special military operation who need assistance during medical care have a right to spa treatment together with an accompanying person. The Social Fund will finance these persons’ meals and stay in rehabilitation centres and their travel to and from the place of treatment.

In 2025, over 103,000 disabled veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War were issued medicines financed by the federal budget, and medicines for over 22,000 disabled veterans and participants of the Great Patriotic War were financed by regional budgets.

Following the discussion, the participants approved a list of recommendations for the Healthcare Ministry and the regions.

Apart from issues of medical care and spa treatment, they also discussed assistance to combat veterans’ employment.

Based on the results of 2025, all the 89 regions of Russia have created a database of participants in the special military operation who have completed military service. Most of them have established communication with employment centres that provide personal consultations, career guidance at rehabilitation centres, and organise job fairs together with employers.

Support for combat veterans within the framework of the Personnel national project includes free retraining in 186 professions plus training in 27 additional professions (from fitter to big data specialist) for participants in the special military operation. The regions have created a database of 28,000 companies and organisations that offer jobs to veterans, and 36 regions have reserved about 37,500 jobs for them.

Last year, 8,303 job fairs were held in which over 35,000 employers and about 26,000 participants in the special military operation took part.

The employment leaders are the Lugansk People’s Republic (86.5 percent), Moscow (80 percent), and the Tomsk Region (76.5 percent).

The participants also discussed best practices in the employment of combat veterans, which are being promoted throughout the country.

Seminar-conference on implementing State Ethnic Policy Strategy

2026-04-10T21:13:22+04:00

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov and Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Volga Federal District Igor Burenkov held a district seminar-conference devoted to the practice and tasks of the executive authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in implementing the State Ethnic Policy Strategy.

The meeting was attended by Head of the Federal Agency for Ethnic Affairs Igor Barinov, Head of the Chuvash Republic Oleg Nikolayev, deputy governors and representatives of regional government bodies, expert communities, and public organisations, as well as members of the Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations Vladimir Ivanov and Anna Polezhayeva.

Matters pertaining to interethnic relations and the situation in each region within the district were discussed.

Emphasis was placed on the implementation of the President’s instructions to the top officials of the constituent entities within the Volga Federal District, specifically with regard to the necessity of completing without delay the drafting of plans and amendments to strategic planning documents and state programmes. This entails ensuring the alignment of goals, tasks, priorities, target indicators, and other provisions of the new State Ethnic Policy Strategy for the period up to 2036, and of instructions designed to enhance the efficacy of the implementation of state ethnic policy at the local level.

Following the meeting, appropriate decisions were adopted.

Pursuant to the President’s instruction, seminar-conferences are held annually in each federal district.

Meeting of the Commission for the Disabled

2026-04-10T19:54:20+04:00

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova chaired a regular meeting of the Presidential Commission for the Disabled.

The Commission members discussed the development of comprehensive medical care and rehabilitation for individuals with spinal cord disabilities, the use of assistive technology in the electoral process, and the development of audio description – a form of audio-visual translation used to assist blind or visually impaired individuals – in sports and culture.

Corresponding instructions have been issued following the discussion.

Greetings to the Russian Olympic Committee

2026-03-29T11:53:41+04:00

Vladimir Putin sent a message of greetings to the Russian Olympic Committee on the sport organisation’s 115th anniversary.

The message reads, in part:

“I extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the 115th anniversary of the Russian Olympic Committee. It is worth noting that our country was one of the founders of the International Olympic Committee and, from 1900 onwards, took part in the revived Olympic Games, hosting them on two occasions: in Moscow in 1980 and in Sochi in 2014. In both instances, the organisation was of an exceptionally high standard in terms of creativity and execution, a fact recognised by the IOC. I would emphasise that Russia remains open to hosting future Summer and Winter Olympic Games and is ready to play its part in upholding the true ideals of Olympism.

This anniversary also provides a wonderful opportunity to remember those who were at the origins of the Russian sports industry, who strengthened its proud traditions of victory, who won medals and titles in the face of fierce and uncompromising competition, and who trained and nurtured Olympic record holders, champions, and medallists.

It is pleasing to note that today the ROC is making a truly unique contribution to the development of elite sport in Russia and to the training of Olympians, as well as to the promotion of the values of a healthy lifestyle and the strengthening of international humanitarian ties.”